Thrilled Australia captain Steve Smith praised his bowlers and savoured an ‘amazing’ feeling as a victorious Ashes captain after his team wrapped up the series 3-0 with a dominant win in the third test at the WACA on Monday.
Australia thrashed the tourists by an innings and 41 runs before tea to reclaim the urn with two matches to spare.
‘Captaining an Ashes-winning side, it’s an amazing feeling,’ Smith said after Australia bowled England out for 218.
Steve Smith (left), the Australia captain, kisses the Ashes urn alongside David Warner
There were jubilant scenes in Australia’s dressing room as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc (left to right) and Mitchell Marsh (lower) pose for a photograph
Australia bowled England out before tea on day four to seal an innings and 41-run victory
The Marsh brothers, Shaun (left) and Mitchell pose with father Geoff, an ex-Australia player
‘So much preparation has gone into this Ashes series. The way we’ve gone about it has been spectacular.
‘So many different emotions are coming out right now, I’m that excited.
‘I’m just so proud of the boys. The way we’ve been able to win this series and wrap things up here in Perth and get that urn back, it’s been quite amazing.
‘The (bowlers) have done a terrific job to get us the 20 wickets that we’ve needed in every game.
‘We haven’t won a toss and we’ve probably had the toughest of the conditions as well. I’m just really proud of everyone in that dressing room.’
Smith poses alongside Australia head coach Darren Lehmann with the Ashes urn
Mitchell Starc (left, with his foot in an ice bucket), poses with bowlers Hazlewood and Lyon
Former Australia batsman Justin Langer greets Shaun Marsh during the celebrations
Josh Hazlewood grabbed a five-wicket haul in the second innings, with fellow seamer Pat Cummins cleaning up the tail as Australia’s pacemen continued their dominance in the series.
‘The bowlers have done a terrific job throughout the whole series … I thought Josh Hazlewood was magnificent today to get five wickets,’ added Smith.
England captain Joe Root was downcast after emulating his predecessor Alastair Cook in surrendering the urn with two games to spare.
Hazlewood was singled our for praise by captain Smith after taking five wickets on day four
Australia spinner Lyon poses with the urn after his side’s commanding victory over England
‘Yeah, it is very difficult to take,’ he said.
‘They’ve outplayed us in all three games. We’ve got to be better.
‘We’ve got to make sure we go to Melbourne and prepare well and put in really good performances there.’